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Two Bay women and a man accused of causing the death of a eight-month-old baby boy plan to defend the allegations at trial.

Shane Christopher Neil, 29, Lacey-Marie Te Whetu, 26, and Donna Catherine Parangi, 48, each faced a manslaughter charge when they appeared in Tauranga High Court today.

The trio are accused of causing the death of the baby on November 2 at Taneatua after failing to perform their duties to provide the necessaries of life and take reasonable steps to protect him from injury.

Crown solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones told Justice Tim Brewer the Crown would be presenting further evidence in support of the manslaughter charge, plus evidence from a paediatrician as an expert witness.